The pandemic has upended many Ramadan rituals as we know them, and adjusting to these changes–while ensuring things remain somewhat normal–has been challenging to say the least. If you asked me last year if I wanted to spend another Ramadan in lockdown, I would have undoubtedly run in the opposite direction. I vividly remember feeling overwhelmed with mixed emotions, obsessing about all the ways things were different and how I couldn’t wait for everything to return to normal.

At the same time, I was grateful that I was able to experience it, as so many people lost their lives, and many were left grieving for their nearest and dearest at a time where family bonds are magnified. 

With that being said, I feel less burdened this year. Instead I am more determined to make the most of it and implement all the lessons I have learned along the way. Islam places a great emphasis on family, kinship and community, as they are considered the fabric of society, and without them, we cannot survive.

This year, while some lockdown restrictions have been lifted here in the UK, things aren’t completely back to normal. Many families are still dealing with the absence of theirloved ones around the table. This reality has forced me to reflect on the meaning of Ramadan, and has urged me to try and get back to its very essence. 

What is Ramadan?

Ramadan is a celebration of the month when the holy Quran was first revealed to our Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) on the Night of Power or “Laylat al-Qadr”. Fasting during the month or “sawm” is one of the five pillars in Islam, the other four being profession of faith “shahada”, prayer or “salat”, alms “zakat” and pilgrimage “hajj”.

While it is obligatory for every Muslim to fast during Ramadan, there are some exeptions, children, the elderly, those on medication, travellers and women who are menstruating do not have to partake. 

Globally, around 1.9 billion Muslims observe Ramadan every year for one month, fasting between sunrise and sunset, praying, as well as engaging in daily recitations and reflections of the Quran.

It starts and ends with the sight of the crescent moon in the ninth month of the Islamic year. Unlike the sun-based Gregorian calendar – used in the majority of the Western world – the Islamic calendar or the “hijri” is based on the moon. This means that Ramadan does not occur at a fixed time every year, rather it moves 10 or 11 days back in the Gregorian calendar.

No words in the world will ever do justice to the feeling Muslim’s get when Ramadan arrives, but I will try. It is not merely about abstaining from food (and yes, even water) for a few hours a day. It is much more than that. It is a time when acts of goodness and generosity towards the poor and vulnerable–which is always obligatory within the faith—are especially rewarded.

Why is Ramadan Important?

For many Muslims the Holy Month is the most important time of the year—an arrival they fondly anticipate and struggle saying bye to when it ends.

 In my family it has always been a time of renewed faith, forgiveness, patience and building tighter relationships with those around us.

 It is also about community and fun. The lockdown and tighter restrictions have drastically transformed the standard practices of Ramadan, but not necessarily in a bad way. Every Ramadan is a moment of inward reflection for me, I often use this month to reconnect with the “deen” (religion) and reevaluate my actions. However, it wasn’t until lockdown that I realised that many of us may have unknowingly been moving away from the essence of the event.  

The Impact of COVID-19 and Lockdown on Ramadan 

As someone who is a firm believer that everything happens for a reason, the situation has grounded me and enabled me to focus on things that really matter. I found myself more in tune and connected in ways I never envisioned. In the absence of distractions, I am more aware of my surroundings and how I spend my energy throughout the day.

The most welcomed perks of Ramadan under lockdown? That would be escaping from the hustle and bustle of daily life—no office commute and no losing energy from running around.

In 2020, Ramadan came as the world was grappling with the effects of the pandemic and here in Britain, we were almost a month into a national lockdown. Muslims spent the entire month and “Eid ul-fitr” – the three-day holiday to celebrate the end ofRamadan – in lockdown, with mosques closed and community festivities banned.

While it was hard to adjust to the circumstances, it allowed me to strip everything back to basics and focus on the true meaning of Ramadan.

This year, we started Ramadan on 12 April as restrictions in England were easing up with the reopening of restaurants, outdoor activities and non-essential shops on the same day. While we are no longer in lockdown the measures mean things are still far from normal. 

Mosques are open this year—but there are less people and prayers are shorter. The system is forever changed. People now have to register to attend prayers, bring their own prayer mat, wear a mask, and are not able to hug or stand close to one another. 

We will likely spend Eid, which is expected to be around 12 May, with similar rules this year. It is unlikely that we will be able to attend Eid prayer en masse, as the next phase of easing restrictions is estimated to be around 17 May if the scientific data supports it.

Out With the Old, In With the New

One thing I’ve realised through this experience, is that people have the ability to adjust to changing circumstances, very quickly. Suddenly, everyone was coming up with alternative and innovative ways of celebrating Ramadan. Especially on social media. 

While many of us struggled with the idea of being isolated, I actually never felt alone. Muslims around the world were, and still are, practically engaging in a virtual “iftar” (post-evening meal).

From tips on how to make the most of Ramadan, to self-care advice to beauty hacks – there are countless resources on social media apps. Instagram hashtags such as #MonthOfGood, have also been created to inspire others to do good and share their “iftars” online. 

The lockdown has also catapulted mental health into the limelight and allowed for open dialog on the struggles many Millennials and Gen Zs Muslims face, even prior to COVID-19. While we are far from a solution, we have come a long way from pretending mental health problems in the Muslim community don’t exist.

Lockdown has been a blessing in disguise, despite the hardships of isolation. I firmly trust Allah (God) with all my affairs, and he has never disappointed me. Do I wish things would go back to normal? Yes. Desperately. But for the foreseeable future, I am content spending Ramadan in this new blessed way—tuning out all the background noise and getting back to the essence of the Holy Month.